Picture Perfect #1

I wandered mindlessly through the radiant forest, my senses heightened from exhilaration. I always felt a sense of happiness as I walked through the forest, I never knew what it was. Maybe it was something about the trees above, the leaves waving freely. Or was it the gentle breeze that washed over me? It was something. I looked up at the trees, watching the sunlight shimmer between the leaves. Then his deep voice woke me from my trance.

“Hm?” I asked, turning my head to my father.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” He repeated.

“Oh, very.” I strained with his tightening grip on my arm.

“I knew if you were anything like your mother, you’d love this place too.” He smiled at me with a slightly comforting smile.

My smile disappeared whenever he mentioned her and the uncomfortable fear rose back up into my throat.

“Hon, we need to talk about her at some point, it’s almost been a year.”

“I’m just not ready, dad. It-it still hurts.” I feigned.

“Okay…I understand.” He seemed defeated. “It’ll all be okay.” He said in a soft, comforting voice.

“Yeah, just need some time.” I chuckled nervously as I looked down, feeling the soft moss under my feet. I didn’t want to talk about my mother’s death because he didn’t know what I knew. He didn’t know I watched him drag that bag into the trunk of his car. He didn’t know I knew he murdered my mother. He didn’t know I saw him stuff his knife into the picnic basket he brought. But he didn’t know I had one of my own. I knew his plan, and I knew what I had to do.

Images for Picture-Perfect Assignment

Angry Letter

Dear Cheater,

                I am writing this letter to tell you that you’re not very subtle. I can see you craning your neck to have a peek at my answers, and I don’t like it. Maybe you should try paying some attention to the teacher when she’s talking or even studying, but no… it’s totally a giant waste of your oh-so-precious time. Honestly, it’s not that hard. All you need to do is keep your eyes on the teacher or just give it some effort. You look at my answers even when the paper isn’t a grade! You could ask me for the answer; I wouldn’t bite your head off. And we both know that when you lean back, you are not stretching. It makes me just wanna tip your chair over backwards! So all I’m asking you to do is: A) make a change in your learning methods; because obviously, they’re not working. B) Ask me! Or C) try to be more subtle.

                                                                                                         

Sincerely, an upset classmate

Three Drafts

Acrostic

You’ve gotten better at masquerading your true feelings.

Only you know how it feels.

Under pressure to be perfect, but you know it’s impossible.

Life gets harder.

Life seems worthless now.

But it’s not just you.

Everyone knows that deep, sad feeling.

Over the years,

Killing yourself seems to be the only way to be happy and it’s not!

All you need to keep reminding yourself is,

You’ll Be Okay.

 Haiku

The sun has come out,

Temperature is rising,

Summer is coming!

Free-verse

Once I met this man,

With sparkling eyes that reminded me

Of the summer sunset reflecting off a lake.

This man also had a smile that reminded me

Of what the word ‘happiness’ meant.

Too bad that smile started to fade,

And so did my memory of happiness.

And as soon as his eyes cut me off,

My heartbeat cut off. But I knew I was

Forever falling into the lake.

One Sentence

       I couldn't believe Zayn had left One Direction, especially right in the middle of a world tour, I was so devastated, he was my favorite member and I couldn't cry because I was on the bus and if my bus driver had noticed, she’d bombard me with questions and if that happened, I’d break down in tears and it wouldn't be a pretty sight to see, although I don’t blame him for leaving; he was being ambushed by crazy fans over a cheating scandal and he was stressed and had enough of the drama, I would too; I think of it this way, if you were playing a game and you were getting bored or you didn't like it, you’d stop, and I fully respect his decision, but at the same time, why would he quit right in the middle of the biggest tour they've ever gone on, and disappointing all the fans that are going to the future concerts and may have never seen that band before and/or be a “Zayn Girl” will only get to see 4/5 and will never get to see Zayn is pretty heartbreaking, but if Zayn is stressed, I’d rather see him get better.

The Plot Sickens: Free-Write & Reflection

               It was Christmas Eve. Fog stuck to the tarmac at Lindbergh field. Tonight was the night I would arrive back home to my family after living in Florida for 3 years. Three years, I hadn't seen my parents. Three years, I celebrated holidays with my friends, which was completely different. Sitting in front of a shoddy, fake Christmas palm tree and watching re-runs of Big Bang Theory was nothing compared to sitting in front of a beautiful pine tree with the strong smell of pine leaves permeating the air and watching classic Christmas movies. Even on Thanksgiving, we’d just order out. Once again, nothing like home. Nothing like the smell of all the different types of food, all just waiting to be eaten, my entire family all talking over each other and our excitement for Auntie Rosie's pistachio and butterscotch cakes.  I smiled at the thought of my father constantly turning around to check and see what was hitting the back of his feet and it would always be the pom-pom of the five-foot long Santa hat he wore every year.

                I got off the plane, smelling the familiar air again for the first time in three years. I gripped my carry-on bag tightly as I walked into the airport.  The lights burned for a quick minute until my eyes got used to it while I walked to the luggage pick-up. As I waited for my bag to come around, I turned and started looking for anyone from my family here to pick me up. My eyes scoured over all the people. All these people reuniting, after a long time away or even a short vacation, it seemed like everyone was smiling. Everybody except me while I looked harder until I saw a familiar, loving smile. My father. He sped up his walking speed over to me. My smile grew bigger as he got closer and his arms flew open.

“Wake up!” the words that came out of his mouth didn't match his lips. Neither did the voice. This was a girl’s voice. My brows furrowed and he disappeared into blackness. Everything disappeared.

                Finally, my eyes opened. It was all a dream.

“Gianna, wake up, you’re gonna miss your flight!” My roommate called out from the doorway. I sighed as I realized my dream would soon become reality. Home, sweet home. 

Q: How does your free-write product either substantiate or deviate from the author’s claim regarding the tendencies and flaws of young writers? 

I believe my free-write deviates from Fanny Howe’s claim regarding the tendencies and flaws of young writers. I think this  because Fanny believes writers these days use too much violence and don’t back it up with why or how it happens, as she said in the article, “It’s not the violence per se; it’s the fact that violence enters the story without benefit of plot. My product deviates from that because it doesn’t involve any violence, just pure nostalgia and family reunions. Even when I do use violence in my stories, I’ll make sure they make sense and everything fits right.

                

Self Deprecation Essay

   "Gianna!" My mother shouted as I got comfortable on the couch. Always when I sat down on that heavenly couch, she had something to say.

"Whaaat?!" I whined, throwing my head back. All I wanted to do was just relax. Just to scroll mindlessly through my phone. I was often called lazy or a procrastinator, but really, I just liked to escape from the real world. I love reading because of that. I also love writing because of that. But remembering things, was another problem. It wasn't that I had short-term memory loss. I just couldn't remember things I had to do. I always got in trouble with my 'favorite' phrase, "I forgot." When I say that, I'm not lying. I really did forget. Either way it's embarrassing. Even if I knew I forgot something, It'd be on the tip of my tongue but it'd never come out. My mom would say I was just too busy and liked to do everything at one time. Starting something, never finishing. I agreed with her, but I wouldn't admit it. Anyway, the point was...

   As I waited for her response, I noticed the sound of water running. I left the sink on again. 

Really, Gianna? Again?   

I lugged myself off the couch and to the kitchen, shutting off the water. 

I chuckled sheepishly, "Oops." 

"Really, Gianna, I don't know how you forget to shut the water off." She said as she put all the leftovers of our pork chops and rice in the fridge, which we both knew nobody was going to eat. 

"Don't ask me, it just happens." I turned towards her. 

"One of these days, you're most likely gonna forget to turn off the fire on the stove and burn down the house!" She nagged, pots and pans clattering as she tossed them in the cabinet they belonged in. 

"I'll make s'mores!" I said, brushing her off and going up to my bedroom. 

My favorite place to be. If I could, I'd never leave my room. And take me seriously when I say never. 

Needs to be cleaned. I'll do it tomorrow. 

It looked as if someone had ransacked my room and decided, 'Hey, let's leave bowls, cups and bottles everywhere!' But that was okay, all I needed was a pathway to my tech center, aka, my bed. I slept with my laptop at my side, and my phone under my pillow. 

I hopped onto the bed, sinking into it with a sigh. It felt like someone had wrapped their arms around me and started comforting me from the long day I had..Was I forgetting something? 

 I shrugged, pulled up my laptop and opened it eagerly, waiting for it to greet me with my beautiful background of Five Seconds of Summer. This is when you know not to bother me. This is a holy moment for me. But something did bother me.

My phone bleeped with a message which kicked off the dramatic music in my head. 

Who dares to text me? I said as I reluctantly picked up my phone and looked at the message. 

Heyyyy, are we still hanging out tomorrow??? It read. 

Tomorrow's Friday?! I replied. 

I shook my head in disbelief at how fast time went.

Yeah..? So, yes or no?

I scowled at the thought of someone coming between me and my tech center, especially on a snowy Friday night. But my mother would be jumping for joy to see me step out the house for once. I felt evil but I said back, 

No, I can't. Followed by a sad emoji. 

Then she instantly replied. 

Whyyyy??

Why do I need an excuse for you? I sighed and used the classic, 

My mom said no. Followed by a sad emoji again. 

I jumped up and sprinted to the stairs, 

"Mom, if Kadee asks if we can hang out, say no!" I shouted and ran back into my room. Now my plan was fool-proof. 

Wow, Gianna, you really are a hobbit, just like Mr. Kefor was talking about. 

I realized as I sank back down into my bed hug. I shrugged it off. 

What can go wrong when Internet is your best friend? 

So then I fell into a downward spiral of gaming and 'Netflixing' until the sunset faded into darkness. Occasionally, my phone rang, but I ignored it for the sake of their feelings. When I use the laptop, I use it nonstop. To the point where I'm gonna pee my pants. Finally, I got up, running to the bathroom with my legs basically twisted. As I finished my business, I looked at the clock beside me. 

3:35 AM.

Oh, crap. 

I ran into my room, diving onto my bed and shutting off the laptop before my mother could hear the loud flush of the toilet. 

I laid there in the dark, wishing I would've remembered to saved my game before I shut it off. I started to drift into a two-hour power nap, wrapped up in my blanket. 

Aaah, so comfortable.. My eyes closed and I slowly fell, thinking about the day I had. Then suddenly they shot open. I finally remembered what I forgot. My homework.